Catamenial aggregate absorbent body

ABSTRACT

A tampon wherein the absorbent body is an aggregate of separate pieces of low modulus, resilient, absorbent foam. The aggregate is held together by an encasing overwrap which is relatively loose about the aggregate to permit some relative motion between adjacent pieces of foam. The mesh of the overwrap is fine enough to totally contain the absorbent pieces and thereby prevent surfaces of the absorbent pieces from penetrating the overwrap and forming part of the external surface of the tampon.

waited States Patent Schaefer June 11, 1974 1 CATAMENIAL AGGREGATEABSORBENT BODY [75] Inventor: Jean Edward Schaefer, Cincinnati,

Ohio

[73] Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company, Cincinnati, Ohio [22]Filed: May 9, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 358,773

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Scr. No.254,004, May 17,

1972, abandoned.

[52] US. Cl. 128/285 [51] int. Cl. ..A6lf13/20 [58] Field of Search128/263, 270, 285, 290, 128/287, 296

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,013,558 12/1961 Leupold128/285 3,306,966 2/1967 Matejcek et a1. 128/285 3,431,911 3/1969Meisel, .lr. 128/287 3,559,646 2/1971 Mullan 128/270 3,674,025 7/1972Bleuer 128/263 3.712.305 1/1973 Wennerblom et a1. 128/285 FOREIGNPATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 606,627 12/1934 Germany 128/285 718042 l/l932France 128/285 805662 5/1951 Germany... 128/285 1,121,770 1/1962 Germanyi. 128/285 Primary ExaminerCharles F. Rosenbaum Attorney, Agent, orFirm-Frederick. H. Braun; John V. Gorman; Richard C. Witte 1571 2ABSTRACT A tampon wherein the absorbent body is an aggregate of separatepieces of low modulus, resilient, absorbent foam. The aggregate is heldtogether by an encasing overwrap which is relatively loose about theaggregate to permit some relative motion between adjacent pieces offoam. The mesh of the overwrap is fine enough to totally contain theabsorbent pieces and thereby prevent surfaces of the absorbent piecesfrom penetrating the overwrap and forming part of the external surfaceof the tampon.

30 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEUJUH 11 I974 3.815601 I a I I i I II a I I I I '2.

CATAMENIAL AGGREGATE ABSORBENT BODY CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATEDAPPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part application ofcopending US. application Ser. No. 254,004, filed May 17, 1972 and nowabandoned.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to absorbentproducts designed to absorb body fluids and more particularly concernscatamenial receptors designed to be worn within the vagina whilereceiving catamenia of women and most particularly concerns tamponshaving an absorbent body which comprises pieces of absorbent foam heldtogether as an aggregate by an overwrap.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Tampons of the prior art which can beinserted by the user herself are generally rigid, i.e., have a highmodulus of compression, have a very low resiliency, and are small incross section in order to attain insertion, wearing and removal comfort.Tampons presently in use generally are fibrous assemblies which arehighly compressed into cylinders approximately 1 /2 to 2 inches long andbe inch in diameter. These fibrous tampons are highly compressed tofacilitate insertion and do not expand, if they expand at all, untilcontacted by the fluid to be absorbed.

The tampons of the prior art do not allow the absorbent material toperform as effectively and efficiently as possible due to the limitedabsorption surface available and/or stresses imposed on the absorbentmaterial which prevent full utilization of its potential capacity as anabsorbent material.

Prior art tampons are generally limited with respect to capacity,containment, and absorption rates. They are limited in capacity in thatthe tampon contains a relatively small amount of absorptive material andis highly compressed. Thus, a large void volume, i.e., unoccupied spacewithin the absorbent body in the vagina which will act as a reservoirfor the menstrual fluid is not available. They are limited incontainment because they are small in size and do not fill out thevagina to prevent fluids from flowing around them or bypassing them.They are limited in absorption rate because they have a small surfacearea available for contact with the fluid and can only take on so muchfluid within a given time even though the wicking within them is good.

Applicants invention provides a solution to the drawbacks of the priorart tampons in that it establishes and thereafter maintains a large voidvolume within the vagina and, therefore. has a greater capacity; it islarge enough to fill out substantially the entire cross-section of thevagina and, therefore, provides containment; it has a large availablesurface area which has resulted in unexpectedly high absorption rates;and is comfortable to insert, wear, and remove.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of this inventionto provide an absorptive device which establishes a large void volumevery soon after insertion into a body cavity and thereafter maintainssaid void volume.

It is another object of this invention to provide an absorptive devicehaving a large volume and cross section in its dry state.

It is also an object of this invention to provide an absorptive devicehaving high initial and overall absorption rates.

In addition, it is an object of this invention to provide an absorptivedevice which is readily disposable in conventional sewage systems.

It is also an additional object of this invention to provide a tamponwith the above features which is comfortable to insert by the user, andis comfortable during wearing and removal. 1

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, thereis provided an absorptive device comprising an aggregate of individualpieces of absorbent foamlike material encased within a flexiblefluid-penneable overwrap, the absorbent material is flexible andresilient and has a dry aggregate modulus of compression at 25 percentcompression in the range of about 0.004 to about 0.050 pounds per squareinch, whereby the aggregate is maintained by the overwrap and also thecatamenial device is soft, highly compressible and conformable to itssurroundings, and resilient.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS While the specification concludes withclaims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subjectmatter which is regarded as forming the present invention, it isbelieved that the invention will be better understood from the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in whichthe thicknesses of some of the materials are exaggerated for clarity andin which:

FIG. 1 is an elevation of a tampon of this invention with the overwrappartially cut away to permit illustration of the tampon interior;

FIG. 2 is a perspective of another embodiment at one stage in itsformation and wherein the overwrap is cut away for illustrativepurposes;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 in its formedconfiguration;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged schematic perspective view of a series ofpolyurethane cells;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view illustrating theattachment of a withdrawal string to a tampon of this invention;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the tampon of FIG. 1 in atelescoping tubular inserter; and

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view, similar to FIG. 4, showing analternate embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to FIG. 1, there isshown a tampon 21 of this invention comprising an aggregate 24 ofindividual and separate pieces 22 of absorbent foamlike material. Theaggregate 24 is wholly encased within the overwrap 23 and the withdrawalstring 25 is securely attached to the overwrap 23.

A tampon of this invention as shown in FIG. 1 can be made in thefollowing manner. The overwrap can be formed from a rectangular piece ofmaterial by bringing two opposite edges of the rectangular piecetogether to form a tube having a longitudinal seam such as seam 50 whichis secured by any of well known methods, such as sewing or gluing. Oneend of the formed tube can then be gathered radially inwardly andfastened to form a closure, such as distal end 37. This closure can beheld by any of many various well known means such as sewing, gluing, ortying with a string. The overwrap at this stage is tubular with distalend 37 closed and proximal end 38 open. The pieces 22 comprising theaggregate 24 then are placed within the bag and the proximal end 38 ofthe tubular overwrap is gathered radially inwardly and fastened to forma closure so that the finished overwrap has both ends closed. Thus theoverwrap is essentially tubular and the tampon cylindrical.

A withdrawal string 25 is attached to the overwrap of the tampons ofthis invention due to the lack of tensile property within the aggregate24 itself, The withdrawal string 25, of course, provides a means ofwithdrawing the tampon from the vagina after the tampon is soiled. Awithdrawal string 25 can be attached to or otherwise associated with theoverwrap in many different ways, some of which are: threading a doubledstring through the overwrap, preferably through a gathering of theoverwrap such as may exist at a closed end, to form a loop and passingthe free ends of the string 25 through the loop, such as is shown inmore detail in FIG. 7, or fixing the string 25 to the surface of theoverwrap by sewing or bonding it thereto sufficiently to withstandforces encountered during withdrawal, or by tying the string 25 around agathered end of the overwrap. In a tampon of the structure of FIG.4,'i.e., having a reentrant portion 28 of the overwrap, the string 25can also be threaded, if desired, through reetrant end 31 to insurereentrant end 31 remains adjacent closed end 29.

The expression gathered as used herein is intended to include anybringing together of the overwrap at a longitudinal end to form aclosure of the overwrap at that end, e.g., a closure in which theoverwrap is omnidirectionally gathered radially inwardly, as if drawn bya drawstring; a fin seal wherein the terminal end is flattened to asingle plane by forces perpendicular to the plane; a lapped jointwherein the terminal end is folded inwardly and diametric portions ofthe end overlap, etc. A terminal end of the overwrap or any portion ofthe overwrap can be any extremity or margin of the overwrap, such as isindicated by end 31 in FIG. 2.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an alternate embodiment tampon of thisinvention (hereinafter referred to as rsette) is shown which has acavity therein formed by a reentrant portion 28 of the overwrap. Thetubular shaped overwrap used for the rosette is slightly longer than theoverwrap 23 of FIG. I and it comprises an exterior portion 27 and areentrant portion 28 as indicated in FIG. 2. The distal end 29 of therosette is gathered and secured by any of the means well known forforming a closure, for example, sewing or gluing the gathered end. Theoverwrap is about twice as long as the overwrap 23 for the tampon ofFIG. 1, and the exterior portion 27 and the reentrant portion 28 eachare about 50 percent of the length of the tubular overwrap. Theabsorbent body which is an aggregate 24 of pieces 22 is placed withinthe overwrap and, depending upon the packing factor (defined infra)desired, the aggregate 24 may or may not completely fill out theoverwrap. The terminal end of the reentrant portion 28 at the reentrantend 31 of the overwrap may be, but does not necessarily have to be,gathered and closed. The reentrant portion 28 is folded inwardly alongthe longitudinal axis of the tampon and the aggregate 24 is shaped toform the cavity in the tampon of FIG. 3. The surface of the cavitywithin the tampon is formed by reentrant portion 28, i.e., reentrantportion 28 is folded around the cavity end 30 of the aggregate 24 andinwardly through aggregate 24 to form the rosette structure. Thisstructure is shown in cross-section in FIG. 4 wherein the reentrant end31 is adjacent to the closed end 29. Thus there is formed a tamponwherein the absorbent body, aggregate 24 of pieces 22, is encased by anoverwrap having an exterior portion 27 forming the exterior surface ofthe tampon and a reeentrant portion 28 forming the surface of thecavity. A withdrawal string 25 can be attached as described above.

The embodiment shown in FIG. 6 is another rosette, similar to that ofFIG. 3, in that it has the aggregate 24 absorbent body which is enclosedby an overwraphaving an exterior portion and a reentrant portion, butthe shape of the overwrap before the reentrant portion is tuckedinwardly is essentially that of two truncated cones joined at theirlarge bases. Thus the embodiment of FIG. 6 is generally comically shapedand has a cavity. Also, it can have a withdrawal string attached as hasbeen described above.

The rosette shape is advantageous because its lateral spread whensubjected to a force normal to the tampons longitudinal axis is greaterthan the lateral spread of a tampon without a cavity in the middle,e.g., a cylindrical tampon. The greater lateral spread is beneficialbecause the vagina exerts a normal force on the tampon causing thetampon to spread outward toward the lateral walls of the vagina and thespreading prevents menses from bypassing the tampon. Another advantageof the rosette shape is that it provides a larger periphery for a givenamount of aggregate than a tampon without a cavity therein.

The tampon of this invention can be inserted into a vagina via atelescoping tube type inserter, as is well known to those of ordinaryskill in the tampon art. One such inserter having inwardly taperingflexible segments at the leading end to form a normally closed, smooth,openable, leading end is shown in FIG. 8 with the tampon 21 of FIG. 1held therein. The inserter used with the tampon of this invention wasmolded from polyethylene, but can also be made of other materials wellknown to men of ordinary skill in the tampon inserter art. The tampon 21is resiliently compacted and maintained in that condition before andduring insertion by placing it in the tubular inserter 35. Resilientlycompacted as used herein means compressed to a degree such that theabsorptive body takes on a readily releasable temporal set, i.e., a setwhich dissipates in the absence of liquids after the tampon is ejectedfrom a constraining means such as an inserter. The overwrap 23 of thetampon 21 is in contact with the inner surface of the inserter 35. Anejecting means, such as the ejec tor 36, removes a tampon from theinserter. In the embodiment of FIG. 8, ejector 36 pushes against therear end of tampon 21 to move it forward in the inserter, open theclosure at the forward end of the inserter and expel the tampon from theinserter 35.

The tampon, in the inserter used, forces open the segments at theforward end of the inserter. The inserter 35 is inserted into the vaginaand the tampon 21 is ejected from the outer tube by pushing the ejector36 so that it telescopes within the inserter 35. The inserter 35, withthe ejector 36 therein, is removed from the vagina after the tampon 21has been fully ejected from inserter 35 and deposited within the vagina.

An alternate embodiment of the tampon of this invention is shown in FIG.9 wherein pieces 39 of ancillary absorbent material are distributedwithin the aggregate 24 of the foamlike pieces 22. The ancillaryabsorbent material is stiffer, i.e., has a highter modulus ofcompression, than the absorbent material from which the pieces 22 aremade.

Many different ancillary absorbent materials can be used for variouspurposes. One of these purposes is to hold liquids within the abosrbentbody after they have been absorbed and thus reduce squeeze-out when aliuqid loaded tampon is compressed. An ancillary absorbent materialwhich has been found to perform satisfactory in the tampon of thisinvention is a cross-linked carboxymethyl cellulose such as is disclosedin US. Pat. No. 3,589,364 issued to Dean et al. on June 29, 1971, saidpatent being incorporated herein by reference. Other ancillary absorbentmaterials may be used, for example, carboxymethyl cellulose, primarilyinsoluble, polyacrylamides, primarily cross-linked, specific starchderivatives, all of which are well-known to those of ordinary skill inthe art. Of course, there are many other ancillary absorbent materialswhich can be included in the tampon of this invention and applicant doesnot disclaim any of these.

The pieces 39 of ancillary absorbent material included in a tampon ofthis invention can be of many various sizes, shapes and forms andlocated in various positions within the tampon. In a preferredembodiment, the pieces 39 are small, i.e., regular parallelepipedsapproximately Vs X Vs inch squares cut from a 1/16 inch thick sheet ofthe cross-linked carboxymethyl cellulose. These pieces 39 are thensubstantially uniformly distributed throughout the aggregate 24. Thepercentage, by weight, of the pieces 39 based on the aggregate 24 rangesfrom approximately 10 precent to 50 percent, preferably from aboutpercent to 30 percent. The most preferred percentage of cross-linkedcarboxymethyl cellulose used in several instances was about percent topercent.

Alternate forms of small pieces 39 of the ancillary absorbent materialare pellets and individual cellulosic fibers. Thin rods or bars of theancillary material can also be used. These alternate forms of the pieces39 can be located in many positions within the absorbent body of thetampon, such as uniformly distributed throughout the aggregate 24, asshown in FIG. 9, or concentrated in particular positions in theaggregate 24, such as near the reentrant portion 28 of the overwrap.

The fit of the overwrap 23 about the aggregate 24 is preferably loose toa degree rather than tight and can be described by a packing factor or avolume-length factor in conjunction with an overwrap cross-sectionalarea (defined infra). A loose overwrap makes the tampon look and feelfluffy and soft. A loose overwrap also promotes absorptioncharacteristics and wearing and removal comfort as indicated by the datain Table III infra.

The fit of the overwrap 23 about the aggregate 24 also affects ejectionforce such that with equal amounts of absorbent material, the ejectionforce is generally lower if the packing factor is higher, i.e., if theoverwrap fit is tighter. See Table 111 infra. For this reason and othersexplained hereinafter, the looseness of overwrap, i.e., packing factor,is critical to achieve an optimum balance of certain desirable tamponcharacteristics. A loose overwrap about an aggregate 24 of low modulusof compression (defined infra) pieces 22 to give a packing factor withina range defined infra will promote removal comfort, i.e., lack ofdiscomfort when the tampon is removed from a vagina. It is believed thatremoval comfort is enhanced because the pieces 22 can shift with respectto each other as they are compressed to conform to the introitalorifice; thus dilation of the introitus during removal is gradual andeasier due to the low modulus of the aggregate 24 and relative motionpermitted between adjacent pieces 22. Relative motion between pieces 22occurs because the pieces 22 are relatively loose within the overwrap 23rather than being tightly packed within the overwrap. Thus, since theintroitus is a constricting band of muscles which can be dilated, asoft, conformable tampon will take on a wedge shape having a graduallyincreasing diameter to gradually dilate the introitus, rather thansharply dilating the introitus, to enhance the removal comfort of thetampon. During removal, as can be visualized from FIG. 4, the closed end29 is the leading end and the cavity end 30 is the trailing end. Theeccentric portions of closed end 29 are forced towards the rear by theconstriction of the introitus such that end 29 is formed into aconically shaped leading end. The aggregate 24 near the closed end 29 isthus compressed and moved toward the rear to form a tampon with agradually increasing diameter so that the largest diameter encounteredduring removal is not at the leading end.

The looseness of the overwrap can be more precisely defined in terms ofa volume packing factor. The volume packing factor is the volume of theintegral, i.e., uncut, absorbent material used to provide the aggregate24 divided by the maximum volume enclosable by the overwrap, i.e., cubicinches of absorbent material per cubic inches within the overwrap. Thevolume of absorbent material as used in the packing factor can becalculated for any specific tampon by dividing the weight of theaggregate 24 by the density of the absorbent material before it is cutup. A weight packing factor can also be determined for tampons of thisinvention by dividing the weight of aggregate 24 by the maximum volumeenclosable by the overwrap.

A tampon which will conform and gradually ease the introitus open topromote removal comfort should have a packing factor which will allowsome conformation by the aggregate to the introital openings but not beloose enough to permit all of the aggregate to shift to the rearmostportion of the overwrap as the tampon is withdrawn. A shift to therearmost portion of the overwrap of too much of the aggregate 24 couldallow an accumulation at the rear of the tampon which would require anabrupt dilation of the introitus and increased removal discomfort.

The pieces 22 were cut or made from an absorbent foamlike materialhaving a low dry bulk modulus of compression preferably in the range ofabout 0.2 to about 2.0 pounds per square inch and more specifically inthe range of about 0.2 to about 0.8 pounds per square inch. The workdry" when used herein in conjunction with modulus of compression isintended to indicate the moisture content condition of the material asit is compacted within an inserter or before it is released from theinserter, generally the conditions as set forth in ASTM Test D1564, 2.Test Conditions. The word wet when used with modulus of compressionindicates the material has been fully wetted by an excess of water andthen squeezed or centrifuged to remove the excess water. The minimummodulus of compression is required to acquire absorption capacity andthe maximum modulus of compression is required to achieve a comfortabletampon. This bulk modulus of compression is established in accordancewitn ASTM test D1564, Compression Load Deflection Test (suffix D) at 25percent compression. The term absorbent foamlike material" is intendedto encompass three dimensional absorptive materials such as gas blownfoams, natural sponges, cellulose sponges, and composite fibrous basedstructures such as taught in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,31 l ,l and 3,430,630(incorporated herein by reference).

Bulk moduli of compression of two foamlike absorptive materials aregiven in Table I below. The samples from which the bulk moduli wereobtained were 2 inches on a side for the washed Hydro-Foam and l inch ona side for the unwashed Hydro-Foam and the Grecian silk sponge which istaught by the prior art. All wet bulk moduli were based on the drydimensions of the samples because the samples swelled when wetted.

TABLE l BULK MODULUS OF COMPRESSlON OF FOAMLIKE ABSORBENT MATERlALS DRYHigh (p WET High (psi) Low (psi) Low (psi) Avg. (psi) Avg. (p

2571 Compression Hyd ro-Foam 0.33

HydrtvFoam 0.62 0.64 0.60 0.25 (unwashed) Grecian Silk l 1.7 4.5 0.5

Sponge (unwashed) Compression Hydro-Foam" l. l 0 l .30

Hydro-Foam (unwashed) Grecian Silk 50+ 26.8 ll.l 2.8

Sponge V (unwashed) Another and perhaps more relevant measure of thestiffness of the absorbent material is the modulus of compression of theaggregate 24 of pieces 22 comprising the absorbent body (said modulushereinafter referred to as the aggregate modulus). The aggregate modulusindicates the compression force required to effect a specifieddeflection of a mass of the particulate absorbent body. The aggregate tobe measured is at an equilibrium undistorted condition as set forth inASTM D1564, 2. Test Conditions. The aggregate modulus is perhaps a morerelevant measure to use because this is the actual modulus of theabsorbent body forming the tampon of the invention, and as such moredirectly influences the ejection force of the tampon from an inserterand the wearing and removal comfort of the tampon.

There is a difference in both degree and kind between the bulk modulusand aggregate modulus of a foamlike absorptive material. The bulkmodulus is different in degree in that it is substantially greater thanthe aggregate modulus. The bulk modulus under ASTM Test D1564, (SuffixD) at 25 percent compression of one polyurethane foam used was 0.40 psi,while the aggregate modulus of the same material at 25 percentcompression was 0.03 psi. The bulk modulus is different in kind in thatthe behavior of the bulk, i.e., integral, absorbent foamlike materialsunder compression is such that the stress-strain curve of the bulkmaterial is initially steep, i.e., a large increase in deformation for asmall increase in force applied, and then appears to take on the generalform of deformation equals K L log (force) where K and L are constants.In contrast, the stress-strain curve of the aggregate as appears toimmediately follow the general form of deformation 6- quals K L log(force) where K and L are constants. V

The aggregate modulus of the aggregate for the tampon of this inventionwas measured in accordance with ASTM test D1564, Compression LoadDeflection Test (Suffix D), modified as follows: A cylinder-pistondevice with a low height-to-diameter ratio was used to contain theaggregate. The cylinder was filled with aggregate to a uniform depth.The cylinder in this instance was made of a transparent plastic,plexiglas, had a bottom which closed one end, had an inside diameter of240 millimeters, and was 10 centimeters deep. The piston also was madeof plexiglas and consisted of a 44 millimeter diameter rod about 5inches long glued to a 239 millimeter diameter, 5 millimeter thickplexiglas plate. The plate or piston head of the piston had holesdrilled through it in order that air trapped between the cylinder andthe piston head could escape without exerting a noticeable force on thepiston head.

The force and deflection measurements for determining modulus ofcompression were made with an lnstron Universal Testing Instrument. Thecylinder was attached to the lnstron compression cell and the piston wasattached to the Instron crosshead.

Each specimen of aggregate absorbent body used in obtaining an aggregatemodulus of compression was preflexed twice to to percent of its originalvolume within the cylinder and then allowed to rest under no load for 10minutes prior to testing. Three different specimens of aggregateabsorbent material were measured to determine the aggregate modulus of aspecific aggregate, Le, a sample of aggregate. Each specimen was a freshrefill of the compression cylinder to a minimum depth of 1 inch. Theaggregate modulus reported for an aggregate absorbent body was the meanof the specimens. If the aggregate modulus of compression of anyspecimen deviated from the mean by more than 20 percent, two additionalspecimens were run. The aggregate modulus of that aggregate absorbentbody then was reported as the mean of all 5 specimens.

The aggregate modulus of any one specimen of an aggregate absorbent bodywas determined as follows: First the lnstron was warmed up and thecompression cell of the lnstron was calibrated with a known weight andwith the empty compression cylinder on the compression cell table. Thepiston was attached to the crosshead of the lnstron. Second, the chartspeed was set at 5 inches per minute and the crosshead speed was set at2 inches per minute. Third, the compression cylinder was filled with thespecimen to a level of 1 inch in depth by allowing the aggregate to fallfrom a height of about 5 inches above the bottom of the cylinder. Anyand all clumps within the specimen were broken up before they wereallowed to fall into the cylinder. The top surface of the sample withinthe cylinder was made as level as possible. The depth of the aggregateabsorbent body was measured by placing a spare plate, i.e., oneidentical to the plate used as the piston head but not having the 5inch, 44 millimeter diameter rod attached thereo, on top of the specimenand measuring the thickness of the specimen from the bottom of thecylinder to the bottom of the spare plate. This depth was not less than1 inch. Fourth, the pen of the lnstron was zeroed with the filledcylinder on the compression table of the lnstron. Fifth, the piston wasbrought into contact with the specimen and a preload of 0.02 pounds persquare inch (psi) was applied to the specimen. The depth of the specimenwas then measured while it was under the preload of 0.02 psi, and thecrosshead travel required to produce the desired percent compression wasdetermined based on the depth of the specimen at the specified preload.Sixth, the specimen was compressed to the desired percent compressionand held at that compression for 1 minute. The load required after 1minute to produce the desired percent compression was recorded. Seventh,the specimen was returned to percent compression by retracting thepiston from the sample.

The aggregate modulus for the specimen was then determined by dividingthe load measured at the desired percent compression by the contactsurface area of the piston.

The dry aggregate modulus of the absorptive body used in a tampon ofthis invention must be below a certain level to provide an acceptabletampon. If the dry aggregate modulus is too high, the tampon will be toostiff, thus causing unacceptably high ejection forces and/or discomfortduring wearing or removal. Preferably, the dry aggregate modulus at the25 percent compression level should be in the range of 0.004 to 0.050psi, more preferably in the range of 0.004 to 0.030 psi.

The aggregate 24 of this invention should preferably be, but need notnecessarily-be, mensesphilic, i.e., have surface characteristics suchthat the menstrual fluid tends to spread readily or spontaneously on thesurface and in the capillaries. Since the menstrual fluid is primarilyan aqueous solution, materials onto and into which it spreads readilycould be loosely described as hydrophilic. However, the state of the artrespecting wetting of materials allows a more precise description interms of contact angles and surface tensions of the fluids and solidsinvolved. This description is disclosed in detail in the AmericanChemical Society publication entitled Contact Angle, Wettability andAdhesion, edited by Robert F. Gould, and copyrighted in 1964; saidpublication being incorporated herein by reference.

Menstrual fluid has a surface tension range of about 35 to 60 dynes percentimeter. It will have a contact angle of less than 90 and will tendto spread spontaneously on a solid which has a critical surface tensionvalue greater than its surface tension. Since the surface tension ofwater is higher than that of menstrual fluid, any solid which ishydrophilic is also usually mensesphilic.

The absorptive material used for making the aggregate 24 shoulddesirably have a critical surface tension at least greater than 35 dynesper centimeter, preferably greater than 60 dynes per centimeter, andmore preferably greater than the surface tension of water which is about72 dynes per centimeter.

The absorptive foamlike material and the aggregate 24 made from thesematerials which is used in a tampon of this invention should beresilient. One test for resiliency is :1 Compression Set Test, amodification of ASTM D1564, Compression Set Test, run on an InstronUniversal Testing Instrument wherein the sample is compressed to percentof its dry height, released, and the percent recovery of the sample ismeasured. The percent recovery can be measured by placing a quantity ofaggregate 24 in a 4 inch diameter cylinder, placing a piston connectedto the lnstron load cell within the cylinder, compressing the aggregateto 20 percent of its dry height, backing the piston away from thecompressed aggregate, and measuring the rebound height of the aggregateafter about 30 seconds. The percent recovery then is [rebound heightdivided by the initial height] times 100. The percent recovery for a dryaggregate of pieces 22 should be a minimum of about 91 percent andpreferably about 97 percent in order that a resiliently compactedaggregate tampon will expand before being wetted after being placed in avagina, so that the tampon fills the vaginal crosssection soon afterplacement.

' Absorptive materials which work well for the pieces 22 for the tamponof this invention are absorbent materials having adjacent cells such ascells 32 and 33 shown in FIG. 5 wherein adjacent cells can communicatewith each other if a common wall 34 is ruptured, in which case a fluidwithin cell 32 can move from cell 32 to adjacent cell 33. Hydrophilicpolyurethane foams have adjacent cells such as cells 32 and 33, whichcan be made communicating by reticulation, a breaking of inter cellularwalls, of the foam, and such foams are described in detai in thecommonly owned, copending, US. Pat. application entitled COMPLIANT CON-FORMABLE TAMPON, U.S. Ser. No. 172,694, filed Aug. 18, 1971,incorporated herein by reference. One of those polyurethane foams, i.e.,Hydro-Foam, which has been used and produces a satisfactory tampon ofthis invention is available from Scott Paper Company, Foam Division,Eddystone, Penna. The Hydro-Foam is hydrophilic and wet swelling. It wasfound to have a cell count of approximately 80 cells per inch, a densityof about 1.9 to 2.3 pounds per cubic foot, and a dry bulk modulus ofcompression of about 0.4 pound per square inch after being Washed.

In a successfully executed embodiment of a tampon of this invention, thefoamforming the absorbent body,

i.e., Hydro-Foam, had a density of about 0.596 grams per cubic inch,weighed about 2.5 grams and was cut into pieces 22 which had a size ofinch and smaller. Size as used herein in describing pieces 22 isintended to indicate the size of piece which will pass, with vibration,through a US. Standard Sieve having a mesh opening of the stated size,but not through the next smaller sieve. Thus, a piece 22 having a sizeof 36 inch will pass through a sieve having a as inch mesh opening, butnot through a 0.265 inch sieve. The size of the pieces 22 can varywidely, with a maximum size of about i inch, but preferably having asize in the range of about l/l6 inch to about inch. The smallestacceptable size is determined by whether the piece 22 will absorb andwhether it will be retained by the overwrap. The largest acceptabie sizefor a piece 22 is determined by whether that size piece will form asmooth aggregatable absorbent body.

Of course, the absorbent body can be an aggregate of various sizedpieces or of substantially uniformly sized pieces. When uniformly sizedpieces 22 are used as the absorbent body, there is a minimum acceptablesize for the pieces 22 in order that the tampon has the resiliencyrequired to fill the vaginal cross-section and the modulus ofcompression required to maintain a void volume as a fluid reservoirwithin the vagina. Band Compression Modulus (hereinafter defined) wasmeasured on rosette tampons wherein the maximum outer diameter of theoverwrap was about 2 inches and the length of the rosette was about 2%inches. Unwashed HydroFoam was used as the absorptive material, thepieces 22 within any one rosette were essentially uniform in size, eachrosette had a different sized piece 22, and the aggregate 24 within eachrosette weighed about 2.5 grams. The Band Compression Modulus for eachtampon having uniformly sized pieces 22 is shown in Table II below. Theminimum acceptable piece 22 size for a tamping of this invention isabout l/ l6 inch. The aggregate 24 of pieces 22 need not be coherent inand by itself because the overwrap will maintain the aggregate.

Also. the pieces 22 need not necessarily be uniformly shaped, in fact,they preferably are very irregularly shaped such as would result bychopping in a Waring kitchen blender. Pieces 22 were chopped for thetampon of this invention in a Waring kitchen blender by putting blocksof Hydro-Foam in the blender. Pieces 22 also have been made irregularlyshaped by comminuting Hydro-Foam and other similar polyurethane foams ina fixed blade comminutor, such as a Fitz Mill available from theFitzpatrick Company. Pieces 22 have also been cut from polyurethanefoams with a scissors into uniform shapes, i.e., in the form of cubes ofvarious sizes.

The material used as the overwrap of this invention preferably is asoft, flexible, fluid permeable material having small aperturestherethrough. A biodegradable material is desirable for the overwrapbecause it will enhance the destructability of disposed tampons. Twononwoven fabrics which have functioned well as the overwrap and arebelieved to be biodegradable are: Dexter X-2l72, a nonwoven fabricconsisting of approximately a 60:40 cotton:rayon blend, saturationbonded with a mixture of HA8 and HA24, Rohm & Haas acrylic binders, saidfabric having a measured weight of about 0.6 to 0.7 ounce per squareyard and being hydrophobic and available from C. H. Dexter & Sons Co.,Windsor Locks, Connecticut; and Viskon, a percent rayon, nonwoven,line-bonded material, which is hydrophilic, has a measured weight ofabout 0.47 ounce per square yard, and is available from Chicopee Mills,1450 Broadway, New York, N.Y.; Reemay, a hydrophobic, spunbonded, lowbasis weight, polyester nonwoven fabric having a measured weight ofabout 0.4 ounce per square yard and available from E. l. Du Pont deNemours, Wilmington, Del., is another nonwoven which has performedsatisfactorily as an overwrap for tampons of this invention. Use of ahighly hydrophobic material as the overwrap with a highly absorptiveabsorbent body can be advantageous in that it insulates the vaginal wallfrom collected menses and thus maintains, during menstruation, theslightly acidic condition of the vagina which exists duringnon-menstrual times.

The above nonwoven fabrics have no noticeable apertures therein, butsome materials having noticeable apertures have been usedsatisfactorily. The purpose of keeping the apertures small is to preventsmall pieces 22 from escaping through the overwrap and to prevent edgesor corners of larger pieces 22 from projecting through the overwrap. Thenominal and potential apertures, i.e., opened areas or areas encompassedby adjacent fibers, in the overwrap should not exceed a size which willprevent pieces 22 from escaping from the overwrap or from protrudingtherethrough such as to interfere with the ejection force of the tamponfrom a tubular inserter. Some foam-like materials, e.g., polyurethane,have a high coefficient of friction with inserter materials likepolyethylene or paperboard. The static coefficient of friction ofpolyurethane with polyethylene is about 1.05. Therefore, the nominal andpotential apertures within the overwrap should be no greater than thesmallest piece 22 comprising aggregate 24. The potential apertures canbe much larger than the nominal apertures when the crossover pointswithin the overwrap are not bonded. It has been found that a wovenoverwrap having an interfiber distance of about /8 inch in bothdirections and having no attachment at the crossover points is notacceptable in that the ejection force from a telescoping tubularinserter for that tampon is increased (see Table V below). For such aninserter, it is thought preferable to exclude the pieces 22 from theexterior surface of the tampon in order to maintain a smooth exteriorsurface and a low coefficient of friction. It has been found thatoverwraps having apertures with diameters as large as l/16 inch, whenthe pieces 22 are a mixture of sizes from about l/l6 inch to about 36inch, do not prove detrimental to the functioning of the tampon.

It is believed desirable to maintain the exterior surface of the tamponas smooth and having as low a coefficient of friction as possible for atleast two reasons: to achieve a low ejection force, i.e., the forcerequired to eject the tampon 21 from a tubular inserter such as inserter35 (see FIG. 8), and to prevent scraping'of the soft, tender tissuewithin the vagina during insertion, wearing, and removal. In general,the absorbent material from which the pieces 22 are made has a highercoefficient of friction than the overwrap material and, therefore, anyprotrusion of the pieces 22 through the overwrap would result in anincrease in the ejection force and the scraping of the tissue within thevagina.

The overwrap should have a static coefficient of friction with theinterior of the inserter of less than about 0.40, and preferably lessthan about 0.37, to provide acceptable ejection forces with largertampons of this invention. Overwraps having a coefficient substantiallyhigher than 0.40 result in ejection forces which are substantiallyhigher and prove to be objectionable by us- 61's.

The overwrap should have strength characteristics so as to prevent thenonwoven material from rupturing during removal or from vaginalpressures while in vivo. The overwrap should have a wet tensile strengthin the machine direction of at least about 600 grams per inch and in thecross direction at least about 250 grams per inch. The minimum wetinternal tearing resistance as measured by TAPPI Standard T 414 ts-65 inthe machine direction for the overwrap should be about 100 grams to tear16 plies 2 inches to prevent the overwrap from tearing during removal ofthe tampon from the vagma.

A material which has worked well as a withdrawal string is awaterproofed cotton string having a /3 ply and a 9 pound tensilestrength. Such a'string is available from Bibb Manufacturing Company,Macon, Ga. under the name of 5/3 ply Sno-Spun bleach 108 cotton.

Any string sufficiently strong to withstand removal forces can be usedas the withdrawal string 25. The polyester strings generally have ahigher tensile strength and can be used if a stronger string is desired.Polyester strings are available from UniRoyal Fiber & Textile, DivisionUniRoyal, Incorporated, 350 Columbia Road, Winnsboro, SC, 29180.

A tampon of this invention made with the aforementioned Hydro-Foam asthe absorbent material requires a minimum of about 1.00 gram andpreferably more than about 1.5 grams of the absorbent material toacquire adequate performance with the tampon. Adequate performanceencompasses at least both absorption capacity of the tampon and bypasscontrol. To achieve bypass control, the tampon should preferably have anominal outside diameter of at least about 1.75 inches, which provides anominal periphery of at least about 5.5 inches. The nominal diameter,periphery, cross-sectional area, and volume available within theoverwrap (hereinafter referred to) is intended to be the dimension ofthe overwrap in its fullest radially extended form, resulting in agenerally circular crosssection, rather than a partially collapsed formwhich occurs when the aggregate is not large enough to fill theoverwrap. Also, the cross-sectional area or volume available within theoverwrap does not include the area or volume in the cavity of therosette. The overwrap for a rosette shaped tampon was made from theabove mentioned Reemay, and was a rectangular piece about 6 /2 by 6%inches. The overwrap material was formed into a tube in the mannerdescribed above with a 6% inch dimension forming the circumferentialperiphery of the overwrap and allowing approximately a inch of the 6%inch dimension for the seam. A rosette made from the above size overwrapis about 2 /2 inches long and about 2 inches in diameter.

The maximum amount of the above mentioned Hydro-Foam which can beincorporated into a tampon of this invention appears to be limited bythe maximum inserter diameter which can comfortably be inserted by auser. Thus limited by an inserter having an inside diameter of about0.71 inch, the maximum amount of the absorptive material which could beused in a 2% inch long tampon of this invention was about 5.25 gramswhen the pieces 22 were a mixture of l/ 16 to sized pieces. The insertersize limited the inclusion of more absorptive material because theejection force required became too great to allow comfortable ejectioneven with a tight, low coefficient of friction overwrap. The ejectionforce encountered with 5.25 grams of the absorptive material and theReemay overwrap in a polyethylene inserter such as shown in FIG. 8having an inside diameter of about 0.71 inch was about 3.5 pounds.

A preferred embodiment, which is certainly not the only operativeembodiment, was made as follows: Rosettes were made in accordance withthe structure shown in FIG. 3 from 6 /2 by 6% inch rectangles of theabove mentioned Reemay overwrap material, 2%. grams of theaforementioned l-Iydro-Foam absorbent material, and the 5/3 plywithdrawal string. The overwrap material was formed into a tubular shapeby folding the rectangle on the 6% inch dimension, overlapping theoppositely disposed marginal edges, and sewing together the superposedmarginal edges and one of the terminal ends to form a bag configuration.The bag was then inverted and the sewing along the marginal edge formeda seam such as seam 50 in FIG. 3 and the sewing along the terminal endformed a closed end such as distal end 29 in FIG. 3. The 2 /2 grams ofabsorptive material was chopped up as above described in a Waringkitchen blender such that the pieces 22 were of various sizes and thelargest sized piece 22 was about inch. The absorbent material was placedwithin the inverted bag and the terminal end of the bag such asreentrant end 31 of FIG. 2 was sewn shut. The reentrant end 31 was thenmoved inwardly along the longitudinal axis of the tampon through theaggregate 24 until the reentrant end 31 was adjacent the closed end 29.The withdrawal string 25 was then threaded through the closed end 29with a surgical needle and secured to the overwrap. Rosettes madeaccording to the above description are about 2 inches in diameter andabout 2 /3 inches long. They have been used as a tampon, both in vivoand in the syngyna. The ejection force required to remove them fromtubular inserters is low and their absorption characteristics areunexpectedly good. Their characteristics are shown in Table 111 asExample V111.

A syngyna is an artificial device used to simulate a vagina. It consistsof a thin rubber' membrane which holds the tampon, said membrane beingwithin an outer case such that water can be introduced between themembrane and the outer case so that a hydraulic head can be placed onthe exterior of the membrane, and a tube entering the membrane at itsinterior end such that the tube orifice into the membrane simulates thecervical 0s. A reservoir of syngyna fluid, said fluid having a viscosityand salinity equal to that of menstrual fluids, is connected to the tubewith a flow regulator such that the syngyna fluid can be admitted to themembrane through the tube at a known and variable rate. There are bothstatic and dynamic syngynas. The hydraulic head is constant in a staticsyngyna and the hydraulic head is varied in a dynamic syngyna. Allabsorption capacities and rates herein described were determined in adynamic syngyna wherein the head was varied from 4 to 16 inches of waterat a regular cycle rate of about 4 cycles per minute. Syngynas are knownto persons of ordinary skill in the tampon art.

Rosettes of various diameters and amounts of aggregate Hydro-Foamabsorbent material were made in the aforedescribed manner of ExampleV111 with various sized overwraps to give the tampon sizes of Examples 1through X of Table 111. The tampons of Examples 1 through X have beentested both in vivo and in a syngyna. The physical characteristics,unexpected absorption performance, especially the absorptioncharacteristics being dependent on the packing factor, and the averageweighted comfort grades of these tampons are given in Table 111 belowand discussed. The infra Band Modulus" was measured by slipping a 1 inchwide Teflon band around the tampon and measuring the force on an lnstronUniversal Testing Machine to reduce the circumference of the tampon to75 percent of its normal circumference. The Plate Modulus was measuredby placing the tampon between two flat plates with the tamponslongitudinal axis parallel to the plates and measuring the force on anlnstron Universal Testing lnstrument required to reduce the tamponsdiameter to 75 percent of its normal diameter. The ejection force wasmeasured as the force required to eject the tampon out of a polyethyleneinserter such as shown in FIG. 8 wherein the inserter had a 0.71 inchinside diameter, four segmented petals at its leading end, and a nominalwall thickness of about 0.015 to 0.025 inch in the petal area. Thetampons had been resiliently compressed in the inserter for at least 2hours. The static ejection force is the force required to start thetampon moving and the dynamic force is the force required to open thepetals and overcome dynamic friction. The Packing Factor was calculatedboth as the weight and volume of Hydro-Foam per cubic inch of volumeavailable within the overwrap. The volume of aggregate was calculated bydividing the integral foam density into the weight of foam used. It isof interest that the relation between the Band Modulus and the VolumePacking Factor is essentially a straight line function. The absorptioncharacteristics were determined in a syngyna. The syngyna fluid was fedto the tampon as fast as the tampon would absorb it and the test wasstopped as soon as syngyna fluid escaped from the end of the tamponopposite the end at which the fluid was fed. The Weight Gain" wascalculated by subtracting initial weight from final weight of thetampon, initial rate was taken from the time required for the tampon toabsorb the first 5 milliliters of fluid.

Overall rate was calculated from Weight Gain and time required to absorbthat amount of fluid. Effciency was calculated by dividing the Weight ofAbsorption Material into Weight Gain. Each of the Average WeightedComfort Grades entries are calculated as:

where n, number of panelist responses in comfort grade g for thatExample tampon; and g a comfort grade.

TABLE 111 I CHARACTERISTICS OF HYDRO-FOAM ROSETTE TAMPONS HAVING REEMAYOVERWRAP Tampon Nominal Size Packing Factor Average Weighted ComfortGrades Example Diameter Length Volume Weight of Weight (g. VolumeInsertion Wearing Removal (inches) (inches) within Absorption foam/in.(in? Overwrap Material tampon) foam/in."

tinches) (grams) tampon) 1 1.0 2% 1.81 5.0 2.76 4.64 0.35 0.06 0.18 112.0 2% 6.08 5.0 0.82 1.38 0.29 0.12 0.12 111 2.7 2% 10.10 5.0 0.50 0.840.17 0.44 0.33 W 1.0 2% 1.81 3.75 2.08 3.50 0.06 0.17 0.22 V 2.0 2% 6.083.75 0.61 1.03 0.31 0.06 0.13 V1 2.7 25% 10.10 3.75 0.37 0.62 0.16 0.260.37 V11 1.0 2% 1.81 2.50 1.39 2.34 0.17 0.06 0.17 V111 2.0 2% 6.08 2.500.41 0.69 0.28 0.11 0.11 1X 2.7 21; 10) 2.50 0.26 0.44 0.11 0.11 0.17 X2.0 2 is 6.08 1.25 0.21 0.35 0.06 0.06 0.06

Ejection Force Absorption Rate Example Band Modulus Plate Modulus Static(lbs) Dynamic Syngyna Fluid Initial Overall Efficiency of (lbs/25%(lbs/257: (lbs.) Weight Gail (ml/min.) (ml/min.) Absorption Materialdeflection) deflection) (g) g (G. of syngyna Fluid/(l. AbsorptionMaterial) 1 2.05 2.45 3.45 3.51 20.14 21.7 um 5.0 11 0.44 0.35 3.24 3.4533.6 26.3 16.3 (1.7 111 0.19 0.15 3.66 3.50 41.2 26.4 15.6 11.2 1V 1.531.85 1.22 1.72 24.9 8.8 9.6 6.6 V 0.38 0.20 1.97 2.22 28.9 29.4 26.2 7.7V1 019 0.08 2.39 2.75 28.5 29.4 19.9 7.6 \'l1 0.911 0.49 0.68 1.16 18.831.3 23.5 7.5 V111 0.23 0.11 0.75 1.21 19.9 10.4 15.9 8.0 [X 0.15 0.051.14 1.55 20.9 14.7 21.6 8.4 X 0.11 0.0 0.35 (1.82 13.7 13.9 13.6 9.1

The comfort grades used were 0, l, 2, and 3- with being no discomfort, 1being slight discomfort, 2 being moderate discomfort, and 3 being severediscomfort. The responses were subjective evaluations given by a panelof users of the tampons, with each user using at least one completearray of Examples 1 through X.

The wearing and removal comfort of the 3.75 gram and 5.00 gram tamponswas unexpected for such large tampons and, of course, is advantageous inthat since they are comfortable, then can be used and give excellentprotection due to their large size which gives them much more absorbentcapacity, and also the capability to block the vagina and preventbypass. Also, the fact that comfort is influenced by packing factor isunex- 3O pected and advantageous because the comfort can be controlledby optimizing the packing factor for a given weight of absorbentmaterial, modulus of compression of the absorbent material, andcross-sectional area of the tampon. The packing factor can be expressedin terms of a volume-length factor in conjunction with thecross-sectional area available within the overwrap.

The comfort of a tampon of this invention is dependent on the size ofthe pieces 22, the modulus of compression of the absorptive material,the cross-sectional area available within the overwrap, and the amountof aggregate 24 within the overwrap. The amount of aggregate can bedefined in terms of a volume-length factor, the volume of aggregate perunit length of the tampon, which is related to the volume packing factorfor a specific tampon of this invention and the relationship is:volume-length factor volume packing factor X cross-sectional area withinthe overwrap for the specific tampon. The volume as used in this factoris the same as used in the volume packing factor, i.e., the volume ofthe integral absorbent material not the volume of the aggregate itself.The volume-length factor thus is expressed in terms of cubic inches ofintegral absorbent material to form the aggregate within the tampon perinch of tampon length. A tampon of this invention that will becomfortable and provide acceptable protection, i.e., absorption, to theuser has the following structure: The pieces 22 are sized from about1/16 inch to about inch, preferably from about 1/ 16 inch to about inch.The dry aggregate modulus of the pieces 22 is in the range of about0.004 to about 0.050 psi, preferably about 0.010 to about 0.030 psi.The: cross-sectional area within the overwrap is greater than about 1.75square inches, preferably greater than about 2.35 square inches. Thevolume packing factor is equal to or less than 2.0 cubic inches ofabsorbent material per cubic inch available within the overwrap. Thevolume length factor is about 1.07 to about 4.0 cubic inches ofabsorbent material per inch of longitudinal axis of the tampon; butpreferably from about 1.07 to about 3.02 cubic inches of absorbentmaterial per inch of longitudinal axis of the tampon when thecrosssectional area within the overwrap is from about 1.75 to about 3.60square inches, and from about 1.07 to about 3.02 V 0.99 (x 3.6), whereinx is the crosssectional area within the overwrap, cubic inches ofabsorbent material per inch of longitudinal axis of the tampon when thecross-sectional area within the overwrap is from about 3.60 to about 6.0square inches.

The absorption performance of the tampon of this invention issurprisingly influenced by the packing factor of the tampon as can beseen from a comparison of equal foam weight rosette tampons havingvarying packing factors as shown in Table 111. The foam weight is equalwithin the set comprising tampons 1, 11, and 111;

the set comprising tampons 1V, V, and V1; and the set comprising tamponsV11, V111, and 1X. Now looking closer at the set of tampons Vll- V111;and 1X, just as an example, it is seen that the volume packing factorfor these tampons is 2.34, 0.69, and 0.44, respectively. That is, tamponV11 is packed the tightest and tampon IX is packed the loosest. Thesyngyna fluid weight gain for tampon V11, which has the highest packingfactor in the set, at 18.8 grams is less than the syngyna fluid weightgain for tampon IX, which has the lowest packing factor in the set, at20.9 grams.

Also, it is unexpected and surprising to note that the absorption ratesof the variously packed tampons is also afiected by the packing factorin that the absorption rate per square inch of overwrap cross-sectionalarea exposed to menses decreases as the packing factor decreases. Inaddition, it is noted that the Efficiency" of the absorbent material isaffected by the packing factor. The relationship appears to be such thatthe Efficiency is inversely proportional to the packing factor.

The tampon of this invention has several unexpected advantages overintegral tampons made from foamlike materials, i.e., nonaggregatetampons, for example, a higher absorption rate, lower ejection forcefrom a tubular inserter, more rapid fluffing out, and greater comfortboth during wearing and during removal.

The characteristics and absorption performance of l X 1 X 2 inchrectangular parallelepipeds, i.e., solid blocks, and rosettes of twodifferent kinds of foamlike absorptive material in a dynamic syngyna areshown in Table IV to illustrate the advantages of operating within thedefined limits of this invention. The higher absorption rate for theaggregate tampon can be noted by comparing the initial and overallabsorption rate for TABLE IV FROM FLAT BLANKS, U.S. Ser. No. 353,058,filed Apr. 20, 1973. The rosettes were made as above described forExample V111 except the amount of aggregate is varied. The round sackswere made by taking a square of the overwrap material, placing theaggregate in the middle of the square, and enclosing the aggregatewithin the square by bringing together the corners and edges of thesquare around the aggregate into a neck which was fastened to preventthe square from opening. The 16 inch scrim overwrap is a cottongauze-type material wherein the interfiber distance is about we inch inboth directions and the crossover points are not bonded. The cylinderswere cut from a block of the absorptive material. Table V includestampons outside the scope of this invention to illustrate the effect ofoperating outside the limits of this invention.

The ejection force of an aggregate rosette tampon having a properpacking factor is substantially less than the ejection force for a cutcone of equal weight and absorbent material, even if the cut cone isoverwrapped with Reemay, the same as used for the rosette. This is seenby comparing the ejection forces of the 2 /2 gram cut cone of Hydro-Foamwith Reemay overwrap with the 2 /2 grams of Hydro-Foam rosette. 1n the vWeight of Initial o- '11 ran Tampon Type Fluid" (Type) Overwrap DryWeight of Dry Weight of Fluid Absorption Absl ai a lion (gm. (Reemay)Sponge or Tampon (gm) Absorbed Rate Rate tampon) I A Foam tgm.) (gm(gm./min.) tgmjmin.)

Grecian Silk S No 2.1 2.1 14.6 1.3 1.5 7.5 Sponge Solid Block AggregateS Yes 2.5 3.0 28.8 15.8 11.5 9.7 Aggregate C Yes 2.5 3.0 23.7 2.4 8.0Hydro-Foam S No 2.3 2.3 25.4 2.0 0.8 10.8 Solid Block Aggregate S Yes2.5 .0 23.6 25.4 15.4 8.0 Aggregate C Yes 2.5 .0 24.6 1.9 8.2

S=Syngyna Fluid C=Citrated Blood the aggregates versus the solid blocks.For example, in TABLE V M the HYdTO'FOamT Samples, the "1 absPfptlonrate 20 EJECTION FORCE FOR VARlOUS TYPES OF TAMPONS went from 2.0 gramsof syngyna fluid per minute for the solid block tampon to 25.4 grams'ofsyngyna fluid per EJECTON FORCE (lbs) minute for the aggregate tampon,and the overall rate Regular Insane, Super insane, went from 0.8 gramper minute to 15.4 grams per min- (1D=0.605 in.) (ID=O.7l in.) ute whenchanging from the solid block tampon to an TAMPOM Static Dynamic staticDynamic aggregate tampon. This increase in the rate of absorption in theaggregate tampons is unexpected and advan- 2,. cut n 131 3-9 tageous. Ahigh absorption rate is an important attribute of a tampon in order toprevent partitioning fail- 2.5 rosette, 11+, 1.x 1.24 1.3 1.x

R V ure which occurs when the rate of fluid flow to the tam 05 g" msme'S R0 H M U :5 pon exceeds the absorption rate of the tampon. In that 1.0do. 2.9 2.9 2.4 2.0 instance, the excess fluid flows past the tampon and43 33 d h l h b 2.0 g.. do. lnserters split while loading tampon own t evagina wa s wit out being absor ed. 2.5 g, round sack. H-F. 3.0 3.1 1.71.7 Another unexpected advantage of an aggregate tam- 5- 3 a 3 pon isthat the ejection force, i.e., the force required to 35 ga T eject atampon from a tubular inserter is lower than the 0.5 round sack. s. 0.751.5 1.45 2.13

. R0 ejection force for an eqgal weight and approximately L0 g roundsuck 5 2.9 12 327 M5 equal length ntegral tampon. The e ection forces R0for four types of tampons, i.e., cut cones, rosettes, 1.5 g., roundsuck, 5. 1.8 2.5

I round sacks, and solid cylinders are shown in Table 40 L0 g" 2 in mgof) 13 062 I 1.38 The cut cones were made by superposmg two trapezoicylinder dal blanks, sewing the blanks together along both sides 1s 2g s cym er. and the short base and inverting the sewed blanks as 05 g" 2in long H) L6 0.5 m more fully taught in the commonly owned, copendingcy1inder,S, R-O application entitled HOLLOW FOAM TAMPONS L8H-F=Hydru-Foum as absorbent material S=Grcciun Silk Sponge as absorbentmaterial Roscttc=Aggregutc of pieces in structure of FIG. 3 R-()=Tiimponhad Rceniay overwrap S-()=Aggrcgatc had '/ainch mush scrim overwrapregular inserter the static ejection force for the rosette was 1.8pounds while the ejection force for the cut cone was 2.5 poundsjand inthe super inserter the static ejection force for the rosette was 1.3pounds while the cut cone took 1.5 pounds. It is also to be noted fromTable V that the rosette, which is a tubular aggregate tampon, has alower ejection force than a round aggregate tampon by comparing the 2 /2grams of Hydro-Foam rosette with the 2 /2 grams of Hydro-Foam round sackwherein the static ejection force in the regular inserter for therosette is only 1.8 pounds while the static ejection force'for the roundsack in the same inserter is 3.0 pounds. A similar decrease in ejectionforce for the rosette versus the sack aggregate tampon is shown for thesuper inserter.

Also unexpectedly in an aggregate tampon, the ejection force is affectedby the packing factor. Note tampons 1V, V, and V1 of Table ill haveequal weights of foam therein'and that the ejection force increases asThe aggregate tampon of this invention also provides" quicker dryexpansion from the temporal set imposed on the foamlike absorbentmaterials such as are used in this invention while the absorbentmaterial is resiliently compressed within the tubular inserter. Theaggregate tampon fluffs out quicker than an integral tampon made of thesame absorbent material in that the aggregate regains its unrestrainedsize after ejection from an inserter in a shorter time period. Thisdifference in temporal resiliency, i.e., the ability of a tampon havinga nonpermanent set to expand to its original size, has been shown byplacing several Hydro-Foam rosettes made in the manner of Example VIIIand several 2.5 gram Hydro-Foam integral tampons, specifically cut conetampons without overwrap as described above, in two differentconditions, i.e., in a' closed chamber suspended by the withdrawalstring over water at room temperature (75 F.) so that the humidity inthe chamber approached 100 percent; and in vivo during nonmenstrualtimes. Before the tampons were placed in either condition, they werestored resiliently compacted within a tubular inserter having an insidediameter of about 0.71 inch for over 2% months. The in vivo tampons werewithdrawn at predetermined intervals to determine the percent of fullexpansion, i.e., expansion to the original uncompacted size, which hadoccurred while the chambered tampons were photographed at time intervalsto record their expansion.

The tampon of this invention, i.e., the aggregate tampon, results ingreater wearing and removal comfort due to the capability for relativemotion between pieces 22 of the aggregate 24. The aggregate tampon hasessentially no tensile forces within the absorbent body and thereforethe absorbent body can more easily conform itself to the vagina or theintroital opening, whereas an integral tampon does have tensile strengthwhich holds it together and prevents it from conforming asreadily as theaggregate tampon. The aggregate tampon lacking the structural integrityof an integral tampon thus is somewhat amorphous and can more easilychange it shape to conform to its structural environment. The amorphouscharacter of a tampon of this invention can be controlled by varying theamount of absorption material within the overwrap, i.e., the packingfactor. To achieve wearing and removal comfort, the volume packingfactor should be less than about 2.0 and preferably less than about1.38.

Also the aggregate tampon of this invention need not rely upon tensilestrength of the absorbent material to insure removal of the entiretampon from the vagina after the tampon is used. In an integral-typetampon, the tensile strength of the absorbent material itself is reliedon to remove the tampon from the vagina because the withdrawal string isattached at only one or several points on the absorbent body. In theaggregate tampon, the tensile strength relied on for removal resides inthe overwrap, and therefore the tensile strength of the absorbentmaterial is not a critical parameter. It is desirable to eliminatetensile strength as a requirement for the absorbent body because otherdesirable properties of some absorbent materials such as polyurethanefoams are in inverse relationship to the tensile strength of thematerial, i.e., when the absorption properties are bettered, the tensilestrength decreases. Thus it is advantageous to be able to eliminatetensile strength of the absorbent material as a requirement.

Thus it is apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with theinvention, a catamenial aggregate absorbent body that fully satisfiesthe objects, aims, and advantages set forth above. While the inventionhas been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, itis evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will beapparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoingdescription. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all suchalternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spiritand broad scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An absorptive device, comprising: an aggregate of individual piecesof absorbent foamlike material, said aggregate being encased within aflexible fluidpermeable overwrap, said pieces being wholly containedwithin the exterior portion of said overwrap such that substantiallynone of the absorbent foamlike material protrudes through the exteriorportion of the overwrap whereby the exterior surface of the tampon isformed by the overwrap, said aggregate being flexible and resilient andhaving a dry aggregate modulus of compression at 25 percent compressionin the range of about 0.004 psi to about 0.050 psi, whereby saidaggregate is maintained by said overwrap and said device is soft, highlycompressible, conformable to its surround ings, and resilient.

2. An absorptive device, comprising: an aggregate of individual-piecesof absorbent foamlike material, said aggregate being encased within aflexible fluidpermeable overwrap, said aggregate being flexible andresilient and having a dry aggregate modulus of compression at 25percent compression in the range of about 0.004 psi to about 0.050 psi,the volume packing factor of said device being equal to or less thanabout 2.0 cubic inches of the absorbent material per cubic inchavailable within the overwrap, whereby the overwrap has low tensionalforces therein and said device has an amorphous character.

3. The device of claim 2 wherein said pieces are irregularly shaped.

4. The device of claim 2 wherein said overwrap is essentially tubular,each longitudinal end of the tubular overwrap is gathered radiallyinwardly to form a closure, one longitudinal portion of the overwrap isa reentrant portion and another longitudinal portion of the overwrap isan exterior portion, said exterior portion forms the outer surface ofsaid device, and said reentrant portion is reentrant upon thecombinationof said aggregate and said exterior portion, whereby saiddevice has a cavity therewithin, said cavity extending substantiallyfrom one longitudinal end of said device toward the oppositelongitudinal end and the interior surface of said cavity is formed bysaid reentrant portion.

5. The device of claim 2 wherein an ancillary absorbent material isdistributed within said aggregate.

6. The device of claim 2 wherein the size of substantially all of saidpieces is within the range of from about 1/16 to about 1.0 inch.

7. The device of claim 6 wherein A. said overwrap is essentiallytubular, each longitudinal end of the tubular overwrap is gatheredradially inwardly to form a closure, one longitudinal portion of theoverwrap is a reentrant portion and another longitudinal portion of theoverwrap is an exterior portion, said exterior portion forms the outersurface of said device, and said reentrant portion is-reentrant upon thecombination of said aggregate and said exterior portion, whereby saiddevice has a cavity therewithin, said cavity extending substantiallyfrom one longitudinal end of said device toward the oppositelongitudinal end and the interior surface of said cavity is formed bysaid reentrant portion; and

B. an ancillary absorbent material is distributed within said aggregate.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein said pieces are irregularly shaped.

9. The device of claim 8 wherein said overwrap is essentially tubular,each longitudinal end of the tubular overwrap is gatheredradially'inwardly to'form a closure, one longitudinal portion of theoverwrapjs a reentrant portion and another longitudinal portion of theformed by said reentrant portion.

10. An absorptive device, comprising: an aggregate of individual piecesof absorbent foamlike material, the pieces being irregularly shaped, anancillary absorbent material being distributed within said aggregate,and said aggregate being encased within a flexible fluid permeableoverwrap, said aggregate being flexible and resilient and having a dryaggregate modulus of compression at 25 percent compression in the rangeof about 0004 psi to about 0.050 psi.

11. The-device of claim 1 wherein said overwrap is essentially tubular,each longitudinal end of the tubular overwrap is gathered radiallyinwardly to form a closure, one longitudinal portion of the overwrap isa reentrant portion and another longitudinal portion of the overwrap isan exterior portion, said exterior portion forms the outer surface ofsaid device, and said reentrantportion is reentrant upon the combinationof said aggregate and said exterior portion, whereby said device has acavity therewithin, said cavity extending substantially from onelongitudinal end of said device toward the opposite longitudinal end andthe interior surface of said cavity is formed by said reentrant portron.

12. An absorptive device, comprising: an aggregate of individual piecesof absorbent foamlike material, an ancillary absorbent material beingdistributed within said aggregate, and said aggregate and ancillaryabsorbent material being encased within a flexible fluidpermeableoverwrap, said aggregate being flexible and resilient and having a dryaggregate modulus of compression at 25 percent compression in the rangeof about 0.004 psi to about 0.050 psi, said overwrap being essentiallytubular, each longitudinal end of the tubular overwrap being gatheredradially inwardly to form a closure, one longitudinal portion of theoverwrap being a re-entrant portion and another longitudinal portion ofthe overwrap being an exterior portion, said exterior stantially all ofsaid pieces is within the range'of from about 1/16 to about 1.0 inch.

14. An absorptive device, comprising: an aggregate of individual piecesof absorbent foamlike material, an ancillary absorbent material beingdistributed within said aggregate, and said aggregate and ancillaryabsorbent material being encased within a flexible fluidpermeableoverwrap, said aggregate being flexible and resilient and having a dryaggregate modulus of compression at 25 percent compression in the rangeof about 0.004 psi to about 0.050 psi.

15. The device of claim 14 wherein the size of substantially all of saidpieces is within the range of from about l/l6 to about 1.0 inch.

" 16. The device of claim 1 wherein the size of substantially all ofsaid pieces is within the range of from about l/l6 to about 1.0 inch.

17. An absorptive device, comprising: an absorptive tampon, a tubularinserter, and ejection means operatively associated with said tampon andsaid inserter for releasing said tampon from said inserter into a bodycavity; said tampon being an aggregate of individual pieces of absorbentfoamlike material, said aggregate being encased within a flexiblefluid-premeable overwrap, said pieces being wholly contained within theexterior portion of said overwrap such that substantially none of theabsorbent foam-like material protrudes through the exterior portion ofthe overwrap whereby the exterior surface of the tampon is formed by theoverwrap, said aggregate being flexible and resilient and having a dryaggregate modulus of compression at 25 percent compression in the rangeof about 0.004 to about 0.050 psi, said tampon being resilientlycompacted within said inserter, whereby said tampon is easily ejectable,and fluffs out rapidly after in vivo ejection from said inserter to fillthe vaginal cross-section.

18. An absorptive device, comprising: an absorptive tampon, a tubularinserter, and ejection means operatively associated with said tampon andsaid inserter for releasing said tampon from said inserter into a bodycavity; said tampon being an aggregate of individual pieces of absorbentfoamlike material, said absorbent material having a dry aggregatemodulus of compression at 25 percent compression in the range of about0.004 to about 0.050 psi, and said aggregate being encased within aflexible fluid-permeable overwrap, the

volume packing factor of said tampon being less than or equal to about2.0 cubic inches of the absorbent ma terial per cubic inch availablewithin the overwrap, said tampon being resiliently compacted within saidinserter, whereby the tampon is easy to eject from the inserter.

19. The device of claim 18 wherein said pieces are irregularly shaped.

20. The device of claim 19 wherein A. said overwrap is essentiallytubular, each longitudinal end of the tubular overwrap is gatheredradially inwardly to form a closure, one longitudinal portion of theoverwrap is a reentrant portion and another longitudinal portion of theoverwrap is an exterior portion, said exterior portion forms the outersurface of said device, and said reentrant portion is reentrant upon thecombination of said aggregate and said exterior portion, whereby saiddevice has a cavity therewithin, said cavity extending substantiallyfrom one longitudinal end of said device toward the oppositelongitudinal end and the interior surface of said cavity is formed bysaid reentrant portion;

B. an ancillary absorbent material is distributed within said aggregate;and

C. the size of substantially all of said pieces is within the range offrom about 1/16 to about 1.0 inch.

21. The device of claim 18 wherein the size of substantially all of saidpieces is within the range of from about l/l6 to about 1.0 inch.

22. The device of claim 18 wherein said overwrap is essentially tubular,each longitudinal end of the tubular overwrap is gathered radiallyinwardly to form a closure, one longitudinal portion of the overwrap isa reentrant portion and another longitudinal portion of the overwrap isan exterior portion, said exterior portion forms the outer surface ofsaid device, and said reentrant portion is reentrant upon thecombination of said aggregate and said exterior portion, whereby saiddevice has a cavity therewithin, said cavity extending substantiallyfrom one longitudinal end of said device toward the oppositelongitudinal end and the interior surface of said cavity is formed bysaid reentrant portron.

23. The device of claim 18 wherein an ancillary absorbent material isdistributed within said aggregate.

24. The device of claim 17 wherein said pieces are irregularly shaped.

25. The device of claim 24 wherein the size of substantially all of saidpieces is within the range of from about l/l6 to about 1.0 inch.

26. The device of claim 17 wherein the size of substantially all of saidpieces is within the range of from about l/l6 to about 1.0 inch.

27. The device of claim 17 wherein said overwrap is essentially tubular.each longitudinal end of the tubular overwrap is gathered radiallyinwardly to form a closure, one longitudinal portion of the overwrap isa reentrant portion and another longitudinal portion of the overwrap isan exterior portion, said exterior portion forms the outer surface ofsaid device, and said reen-- surface of said cavity is formed by saidreentrant por- 28. An absorptive device, comprising: an absorptivetampon, a tubular inserter, and ejection means operatively associatedwith said tampon and said inserter for releasing said tampon from saidinserter into a body cavity; said tampon being an aggregate ofindividual pieces of absorbent foamlike material, said absorbentmaterial having a dry aggregate modulus of compression at 25 percentcompression in the range of about 0.004 to about 0.050 psi, an ancillaryabsorbent material being distributed within said aggregate, and saidaggregate and ancillary absorbent material being encased within aflexible fluid-permeable overwrap, said tampon being resilient compactedwithin said inserter, whereby the tampon is easy to eject from theinserter.

2%. An absorptive device, comprising: an absorptive tampon, a tubularinserter, and ejection means operatively associated with said tampon andsaid inserter for releasing said tampon from said inserter into a bodycavity; said tampon being an aggregate of individual pieces of absorbentfoamlike material, said aggregate being encased within a flexiblefluid-permeable overwrap, the volume packing factor of said tampon beingless than or equal to about 2.0 cubic inches of the ab-. sorbentmaterial per cubic inch available within the overwrap, said tampon beingresiliently compacted within said inserter, whereby the tampon is easyto eject from the inserter.

30. An absorptive device, comprising: an absorptive tampon, a tubularinserter, and ejection means operatively associated with said tampon andsaid inserter for releasing said tampon from said inserter into a bodycavity; said tampon being an aggregate of individual pieces of absorbentfoamlike material, an ancillary absorbent material being distributedwithin said aggregate, and said aggregate and ancillary absorbentmaterial being encased within a flexible fluid-permeable overwrap, saidtampon being resiliently compacted within said inserter.

IQ 32 g?" UNITED STAIES PATENT OFFICE TIFlCATE 3,815,601 Dated June 11,1974 Jean Edward Schaefer Inventor(s) It is certified that error appearsin the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

Column 5, line 19 "liuqid" should read --1iquid--.

Column 7, line 49, delete "0.38" under caption'"HydroFoam and insert--0.38 under caption -DRY Avg. (psi).

-Column 7, line 48, delete "0.19" under caption "DRY Low (psi)" andinsert -0.19-- under caption WE'I Avg. (psi).

Column 7, line 59, delete 1.30" under caption "HydroFoam and insert-l.30 under caption DRY Avg. (psi).

Column 7, line 58, delete "1.10" under caption "DRY Low (psi)" andinsert -l.l0. under caption --WET Avg. (psi).

Column 11, line 38, "tamping" should read -tampo n-.

Column 13, line 32, in vivo" should read --in vivo- Column 14, line 66,"in vivo" should read -in vivo-.

Column 15, line 29, "in vivo" should read --in vivo-..

Column 21, line 23, "in vivo" should read -in vivo-.

Column 21, line 28, "in vivo" should read -in vivo-. Column 23, line 22,delete "1 street.

Column 23, line 23, delete "Therefore, Amber".

Signed and sealed this 29th day of October 1974. m5

(SEAL) Attest:

MecoY M. GIBSON JR. 0. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPaten'ts

1. An absorptive device, comprising: an aggregate of individual piecesof absorbent foamlike material, said aggregate being encased within aflexible fluid-permeable overwrap, said pieces being wholly containedwithin the exterior portion of said overwrap such that substantiallynone of the absorbent foamlike material protrudes through the exteriorportion of the overwrap whereby the exterior surface of the tampon isformed by the overwrap, said aggregate being flexible and resilient andhaving a dry aggregate modulus of compression at 25 percent compressionin the range of about 0.004 psi to about 0.050 psi, whereby saidaggregate is maintained by said overwrap and said device is soft, highlycompressible, conformable to its surroundings, and resilient.
 2. Anabsorptive device, comprising: an aggregate of individual pieces ofabsorbent foamlike material, said aggregate being encased within aflexible fluid-permeable overwrap, said aggregate being flexible andresilient and having a dry aggregate modulus of compression at 25percent compression in the range of about 0.004 psi to about 0.050 psi,the volume packing factor of said device being equal to or less thanabout 2.0 cubic inches of the absorbent material per cubic inchavailable within the overwrap, whereby the overwrap has low tensionalforces therein and said device has an amorphous character.
 3. The deviceof claim 2 wherein said pieces are irregularly shaped.
 4. The device ofclaim 2 wherein said overwrap is essentially tubular, each longitudinalend of the tubular overwrap is gathered radially inwardly to form aclosure, one longitudinal portion of the overwrap is a reentrant portionand another longitudinal portion of the overwrap is an exterior portion,said exterior portion forms the outer surface of said device, and saidreentrant portion is reentrant upon the combination of said aggregateand said exterior portion, whereby said device has a cavity therewithin,said cavity extending substantially from one longitudinal end of saiddevice toward the opposite longitudinal end and the interior surface ofsaid cavity is formed by said reentrant portion.
 5. The device of claim2 wherein an ancillary absorbent material is distributed within saidaggregate.
 6. The device of claim 2 wherein the size of substantiallyall of said pieces is within the range of from about 1/16 to about 1.0inch.
 7. The device of claim 6 wherein A. said overwrap is essentiallytubular, each longitudinal end of the tubular overwrap is gatheredradially inwardly to form a closure, one longitudinal portion of theoverwrap is a reentrant portion and another longitudinal portion of theoverwrap is an exterior portion, said exterior portion forms the outersurface of said device, and said reentrant portion is reentrant upon thecombination of said aggregate and said exterior portion, whereby saiddevice has a cavity therewithin, said cavity extending substantiallyfrom one longitudinal end of said device toward the oppositelongitudinal end and the interior surface of said cavity is formed bysaid reentrant portion; and B. an ancillary absorbent material isdistributed within said aggregate.
 8. The device of claim 1 wherein saidpieces are irregularly shaped.
 9. The device of claim 8 wherein saidoverwrap is essentially tubular, each longitudinal end of the tubularoverwrap is gathered radially inwardly to form a closure, onelongitudinal portion of the overwrap is a reentrant portion and anotherlongitudinal portion of the overwrap is an exterior portion, saidexterior 1 street. Therefore, Amber portion forms the outer surface ofsaid device, and said reentrant portion is reentrant upon thecombination of said aggregate and said exterior portion, whereby saiddevice has a cavity therewithin, said cavity extending substantiallyfrom one longitudinal end of said device toward the oppositelongitudinal end and the interior surface of said cavity is formed bysaid reentrant portion.
 10. An absorptive device, comprising: anaggregate of individual pieces of absorbent foamlike material, thepieces being irregularly shaped, an ancillary absorbent material beingdistributed within said aggregate, and said aggregate being encasedwithin a flexible fluid-permeable overwrap, said aggregate beingflexible and resilient and having a dry aggregate modulus of compressionat 25 percent compression in the range of about 0.004 psi to about 0.050psi.
 11. The device of claim 1 wherein said overwrap is essentiallytubular, each longitudinal end of the tubular overwrap is gatheredradially inwardly to form a closure, one longitudinal portion of theoverwrap is a reentrant portion and another longitudinal portion of theoverwrap is an exterior portion, said exterior portion forms the outersurface of said device, and said reentrant portion is reentrant upon thecombination of said aggregate and said exterior portion, whereby saiddevice has a cavity therewithin, said cavity extending substantiallyfrom one longitudinal end of said device toward the oppositelongitudinal end and the interior surface of said cavity is formed bysaid reentrant portion.
 12. An absorptive device, comprising: anaggregate of individual pieces of absorbent foamlike material, anancillary absorbent material being distributed within said aggregate,and said aggregate and ancillary absorbent material being encased withina flexible fluid-permeable overwrap, said aggregate being flexible andresilient and having a dry aggregate modulus of compression at 25percent compression in the range of about 0.004 psi to about 0.050 psi,said overwrap being essentially tubular, each longitudinal end of thetubular overwrap being gathered radially inwardly to form a closure, onelongitudinal portion of the overwrap being a re-entrant portion andanother longitudinal portion of the overwrap being an exterior portion,said exterior portion forming the outer surface of said device, and saidre-entrant portion being re-entrant upon the combination of saidaggregate and said exterior portion; whereby said aggregate ismaintained by said overwrap and said device is soft, highlycompressible, conformable to its surroundings, and has a cavitytherewithin, said cavity extending substantially from one longitudinalend of said device toward the opposite longitudinal end and the interiorsurface of said cavity being formed by said re-entrant portion.
 13. Thedevice of claim 11 wherein the size of substantially all of said piecesis within the range of from about 1/16 to about 1.0 inch.
 14. Anabsorptive device, comprising: an aggregate of individual pieces ofabsorbent foamlike material, an ancillary absorbent material beingdistributed within said aggregate, and said aggregate and ancillaryabsorbent material being encased within a flexible fluid-permeableoverwrap, said aggregate being flexible and resilient and having a dryaggregate modulus of compression at 25 percent compression in the rangeof about 0.004 psi to about 0.050 psi.
 15. The device of claim 14wherein the size of substantially all of said pieces is within The rangeof from about 1/16 to about 1.0 inch.
 16. The device of claim 1 whereinthe size of substantially all of said pieces is within the range of fromabout 1/16 to about 1.0 inch.
 17. An absorptive device, comprising: anabsorptive tampon, a tubular inserter, and ejection means operativelyassociated with said tampon and said inserter for releasing said tamponfrom said inserter into a body cavity; said tampon being an aggregate ofindividual pieces of absorbent foamlike material, said aggregate beingencased within a flexible fluid-premeable overwrap, said pieces beingwholly contained within the exterior portion of said overwrap such thatsubstantially none of the absorbent foam-like material protrudes throughthe exterior portion of the overwrap whereby the exterior surface of thetampon is formed by the overwrap, said aggregate being flexible andresilient and having a dry aggregate modulus of compression at 25percent compression in the range of about 0.004 to about 0.050 psi, saidtampon being resiliently compacted within said inserter, whereby saidtampon is easily ejectable, and fluffs out rapidly after in vivoejection from said inserter to fill the vaginal cross-section.
 18. Anabsorptive device, comprising: an absorptive tampon, a tubular inserter,and ejection means operatively associated with said tampon and saidinserter for releasing said tampon from said inserter into a bodycavity; said tampon being an aggregate of individual pieces of absorbentfoamlike material, said absorbent material having a dry aggregatemodulus of compression at 25 percent compression in the range of about0.004 to about 0.050 psi, and said aggregate being encased within aflexible fluid-permeable overwrap, the volume packing factor of saidtampon being less than or equal to about 2.0 cubic inches of theabsorbent material per cubic inch available within the overwrap, saidtampon being resiliently compacted within said inserter, whereby thetampon is easy to eject from the inserter.
 19. The device of claim 18wherein said pieces are irregularly shaped.
 20. The device of claim 19wherein A. said overwrap is essentially tubular, each longitudinal endof the tubular overwrap is gathered radially inwardly to form a closure,one longitudinal portion of the overwrap is a reentrant portion andanother longitudinal portion of the overwrap is an exterior portion,said exterior portion forms the outer surface of said device, and saidreentrant portion is reentrant upon the combination of said aggregateand said exterior portion, whereby said device has a cavity therewithin,said cavity extending substantially from one longitudinal end of saiddevice toward the opposite longitudinal end and the interior surface ofsaid cavity is formed by said reentrant portion; As an an ancillaryabsorbent material is distributed within said aggregate; and C. the sizeof substantially all of said pieces is within the range of from about1/16 to about 1.0 inch.
 21. The device of claim 18 wherein the size ofsubstantially all of said pieces is within the range of from about 1/16to about 1.0 inch.
 22. The device of claim 18 wherein said overwrap isessentially tubular, each longitudinal end of the tubular overwrap isgathered radially inwardly to form a closure, one longitudinal portionof the overwrap is a reentrant portion and another longitudinal portionof the overwrap is an exterior portion, said exterior portion forms theouter surface of said device, and said reentrant portion is reentrantupon the combination of said aggregate and said exterior portion,whereby said device has a cavity therewithin, said cavity extendingsubstantially from one longitudinal end of said device toward theopposite longitudinal end and the interior surface of said cavity isformed by said reentrant portion.
 23. The device of claim 18 wherein anancillary absorbent material is distributed wIthin said aggregate. 24.The device of claim 17 wherein said pieces are irregularly shaped. 25.The device of claim 24 wherein the size of substantially all of saidpieces is within the range of from about 1/16 to about 1.0 inch.
 26. Thedevice of claim 17 wherein the size of substantially all of said piecesis within the range of from about 1/16 to about 1.0 inch.
 27. The deviceof claim 17 wherein said overwrap is essentially tubular, eachlongitudinal end of the tubular overwrap is gathered radially inwardlyto form a closure, one longitudinal portion of the overwrap is areentrant portion and another longitudinal portion of the overwrap is anexterior portion, said exterior portion forms the outer surface of saiddevice, and said reentrant portion is reentrant upon the combination ofsaid aggregate and said exterior portion, whereby said device has acavity therewithin, said cavity extending substantially from onelongitudinal end of said device toward the opposit longitudinal end andthe interior surface of said cavity is formed by said reentrant portion.28. An absorptive device, comprising: an absorptive tampon, a tubularinserter, and ejection means operatively associated with said tampon andsaid inserter for releasing said tampon from said inserter into a bodycavity; said tampon being an aggregate of individual pieces of absorbentfoamlike material, said absorbent material having a dry aggregatemodulus of compression at 25 percent compression in the range of about0.004 to about 0.050 psi, an ancillary absorbent material beingdistributed within said aggregate, and said aggregate and ancillaryabsorbent material being encased within a flexible fluid-permeableoverwrap, said tampon being resilient compacted within said inserter,whereby the tampon is easy to eject from the inserter.
 29. An absorptivedevice, comprising: an absorptive tampon, a tubular inserter, andejection means operatively associated with said tampon and said inserterfor releasing said tampon from said inserter into a body cavity; saidtampon being an aggregate of individual pieces of absorbent foamlikematerial, said aggregate being encased within a flexible fluid-permeableoverwrap, the volume packing factor of said tampon being less than orequal to about 2.0 cubic inches of the absorbent material per cubic inchavailable within the overwrap, said tampon being resiliently compactedwithin said inserter, whereby the tampon is easy to eject from theinserter.
 30. An absorptive device, comprising: an absorptive tampon, atubular inserter, and ejection means operatively associated with saidtampon and said inserter for releasing said tampon from said inserterinto a body cavity; said tampon being an aggregate of individual piecesof absorbent foamlike material, an ancillary absorbent material beingdistributed within said aggregate, and said aggregate and ancillaryabsorbent material being encased within a flexible fluid-permeableoverwrap, said tampon being resiliently compacted within said inserter.